Ukraine Hopes Its Incursion into Russia Will Shift the War's Dynamics**

**Ukraine Hopes Its Incursion into Russia Will Shift the War's Dynamics**

Ukraine is hopeful that its recent offensive into Russian territory will alter the trajectory of the ongoing war.

Arni, a Ukrainian soldier who joined the army in 2022, now speaks of a new motivation: peace. While the survival of Ukraine remains a priority, troops near the Russian border are increasingly focused on ending the invasion on favorable terms. Arni emphasizes that the Ukrainian forces are committed to standing firm until the end.

Initially, Ukraine's main objective was to fully repel Russian forces and restore its pre-2014 borders. However, after years of losing territory to Moscow, Ukraine launched a surprising counter-offensive into Russia's Kursk region on August 6, a move that has shifted both strategic and psychological dynamics.

According to Serhii Kuzan, chairman of the Ukrainian Security and Co-operation Centre, the incursion was both successful and daring, changing the narrative of the conflict. Despite parallels with Russia's invasion, Kyiv maintains that its goal is not occupation, but rather to create a buffer zone to better protect regions like Sumy, which have faced constant Russian attacks. The offensive has allowed Ukraine to capture key positions, disrupt Russian supply lines, and force Russia to redeploy troops away from occupied Ukrainian territories.

The operation has also bolstered Ukraine's bargaining position, with the capture of Russian soldiers providing potential leverage in future negotiations. Ukraine has already captured hundreds of Russian troops during the Kursk offensive, with Moscow reportedly open to prisoner exchange talks.

The psychological impact of the incursion has been significant, with civilians in the Kursk region experiencing fear and anger over the Ukrainian assault. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has downplayed the situation, possibly to avoid further panic or to maintain the appearance of control.

Ukraine's incursion has demonstrated its ability to conduct "asymmetrical actions" against Russia, despite the latter's superior size. While the situation remains fluid, Ukraine's strategy has, for now, provided it with both tactical advantages and potential leverage in future peace talks.